Help setting up Media Center PC

That Guy · 16 Apr 2011 at 19:37

Hi Peeps,

I have an Acer Revo 3610 PC I want to turn into a Media Center PC. I am looking at using Windows Media Center (easy to use for the gf

)

So wanting suggestions for the following:

Which is the best Media Remote to get?
Was thinking standard Microsoft one

Best Reliable and fairly cheap Freeview (Twin tuner) USB Dongle?
Have no idea on this

Best Wireless Keyboard/Mouse which have good Signal Range?
Can you get a keyboard with built in Touch Pad?

Any other Do's and Dont's when creating a setup?
The more help the better

All hardware needs to be compatible with Windows Media Center.

The PC will be connected via HTMI Cable

Cycrow · 16 Apr 2011 at 20:43

generally, the windows media center remote, the offical microsoft one, is the best to get

for the tv tuner, u could try the usb hauppauge wintv nova-td

for the keyboard/mouse, u could try the diNovo mini

saitrix · 16 Apr 2011 at 22:06

For a small combined option look for one call the Rii.

HEADRAT · 21 Apr 2011 at 14:26

I bought a RII, nice but the range is rubbish

nickrose · 21 Apr 2011 at 14:33

Cycrow said:
generally, the windows media center remote, the offical microsoft one, is the best to get

for the tv tuner, u could try the usb hauppauge wintv nova-td

for the keyboard/mouse, u could try the diNovo mini

+1 on all of this.

Have used them all, the microsoft media centre remote does what it should.
This Hauppauge is the one I have , same as mentioned above I think, but all Hauppauge TV tuners are good, with generally excellent driver support and plenty of online following to help. If you can, try to get a dual tuner one, its worth paying the extra for.

The diNovo mini is by far the best mini keyboard I have ever used and suits the HTPC environment wonderfully.

jellybeard999 · 21 Apr 2011 at 15:32

Make sure you look into additional addons for media centre - media browser etc

Ben Cole · 21 Apr 2011 at 15:37

If you get the dinovo mini, you might not feel the need for a dedicated media remote at all. I have one in my flat connected to my main pc as well as a normal keyboard and mouse for when I play media on the connected 42in panasonic.

I also have one as the only control connected to an Asus eee pc that is hidden behind the LCD tv on the wall in my bedroom at my house in Wales. I've never felt the need to get a dedicated media remote for either.

COYS · 21 Apr 2011 at 22:23

I'd also recommend the dinovo mini. i've dumped my keyboard and MCE remote and just use this.